Original subtitles

♪♪

Oh!

Did you enjoy your ride?

Oh, it was sensational.

Good.

Give him a good breakfast; he's earned it.

I certainly will, Mrs. Graham.

I'll give him a stack of hay

that would make Euell Gibbons's mouth water.

Oh, Mrs. Graham,

almost forgot.

Something for you.

What is it?

A letter for you.

Someone dropped it by while you were out riding.

I wonder why they didn't deliver it to the house?

Well, perhaps they know that you're here

more often than anywhere.

Who was it?

Just a lad.

Never saw him before.

Oh, thank you.

I hope it's good news.

So do I.

♪♪

♪♪

- Mr. Mannix? - Yes.

- I'm Janice Graham. - How do you do?

My secretary told me you wanted to see me.

She said it was urgent.

Do you... do you mind if we-we talk over here?

I prefer we weren't overheard.

I might as well tell you, Mr. Mannix.

I had you checked out thoroughly.

Well, that makes sense.

I liked what I heard.

Among other things, I was told you never betray a confidence.

Is that true?

I haven't had too many complaints.

Does my name mean anything to you?

Yes, it does.

What?

Well, about six years ago,

your son was kidnapped

while he was playing in a park.

You received a ransom note,

you agreed to the demands,

but something went wrong at the drop.

The kidnapper escaped,

and there was no trace of your son.

No trace of Peter has ever been found, Mr. Mannix.

I just always assumed that he was dead

until this morning.

And now-now I don't know what to believe.

What happened this morning?

Another ransom note.

Do you think it's genuine?

I can't say yet.

This was the ransom note that came six years ago.

Well, except for the different amounts of money,

I'd say they came from the same person.

Do you think it's possible that Peter is still alive?

I'll have to check, Mrs. Graham,

but I'd say it is possible, yes.

Oh.

Six years, it's like an eternity.

I mean, people change, lives change,

nothing stays the same, not even hope.

What about your husband?

Oh, I don't know.

Howard... Howard and I only stayed together

a couple of years after... after Peter was kidnapped.

Things got very bad between us.

We started to blame each other for all the things

we didn't do when Peter was still with us.

You're separated?

Yes.

Howard has his bank functions, his racing cars,

spends most of his time in Paris.

Don't you think he should be told?

No. Oh, no, absolutely not.

It was his panic

that scared away the kidnapper the first time.

He must not know, Mr. Mannix.

And you're going to try and raise the ransom money?

Yes, I'll-I'll start to try to collect it today.

Suppose this turns out to be someone's idea of a joke?

Well, that's why I hired you.

Before I get my hopes up,

I want to find out once and for all

if my son is dead or alive.

Well, I'd like to take these along with me.

Oh, if anybody calls,

let me know right away, huh?

You know, Peter...

Peter was two years old when he was taken away from me.

Do you think children

still remember their parents after all these years?

You loved him?

Oh, yes.

He'll remember.

Oh, hi, Peg.

Hi.

Well, what did you get?

A stiff neck and more information

on the Graham kidnapping than I thought existed.

Now, let's start with the night of the drop.

Now, what went wrong?

Well, a few stories say

that the kidnapper chickened and never showed up,

but most of the stories blame Mr. Graham.

He panicked and revealed the fact

that the police were in the area.

So, nobody really got a look at the kidnapper?

Ah, with one exception,

a reporter by the name of Steve Dorsett.

Steve Dor...

Yeah, I remember him.

He used to write for one of the scandal sheets

you pick up at a market checkout stand.

Mm-hmm.

His stories ran a few days,

and then he was fired.

He said that the kidnapper contacted him

to set up another rendezvous with the Grahams

after the first one failed.

- What happened? - Nothing.

The kidnapper never contacted him again.

So Dorsett was dismissed as a fraud,

just someone trying to cash in on the publicity.

Steve Dorsett.

Steve Dorsett?

Gone to lunch.

But if you're looking for the latest in postcards,

the police confiscated them about a week ago.

What do you want with Dorsett?

Well, I was told that he was the only person

who saw the Peter Graham kidnapper face-to-face.

Hey, that's going back quite a ways, isn't it?

Yeah, maybe, but that's what I was told.

Everybody knows that story was a phony.

That's why Dorsett was canned.

That's why no other newspaper would look at him.

The rumor is

that he started hitting the bottle,

and in the end, the booze killed him.

Well, this is some burial ground,

Mr. Dorsett.

What do you want?

Well, I've got a client

that's interested in the Peter Graham kidnapping.

Do you ever pay for your chances?

How does $20 sound?

It's a start.

Oh, uh,

do you mind?

No, no.

There you are.

You're on.

Well, he was young,

Caucasian, mid-20s, I would say,

brown hair, six feet tall.

And?

Okay.

It was night.

He was waiting for me outside my garage.

He knew about me because of my stuff in the papers.

He told me

he couldn't get at the ransom dough

because the police were all over there.

So, he wanted me

to contact the Grahams again

and act as a go-between.

Look, can you think of anything else about the man

that you didn't mention to the police?

Well, there is one...

well, take this for what it's worth.

I remember thinking that the kid was just a punk,

you know, strictly small-time, two-bit loser.

Gordon, I understand that.

But with all the collateral I can provide,

why can't I get a loan without my husband's co-signature?

I see.

No, please, I don't want him to know.

Uh, I'm sorry, Gordon,

I really can't talk about it now.

But thank you for your help.

Bye-bye.

Trouble?

Yes.

There seems to be a limit on the funds I can withdraw

without my husband trotting out his co-signature.

Does that mean you won't be able to raise the money in time?

No. No, I'll manage somehow.

Still like to know why it's taken him

six years to get back to you.

Extension?

Before you agree to a meeting,

tell him your attorney has to be in on the negotiations.

- My attorney? - I'll stand in for him.

Hello?

Mrs. Graham?

Yes.

Did you get the note at the stable?

Yes.

So, how are you making out in the money department?

Well, I've got part of it,

and I'll get the rest tomorrow afternoon.

My attorney's working on it.

Well, I'll call you at 3:00,

and we'll do business then.

Now wait, how do I know if my son is still alive?

Because I say he is.

That's not good enough.

After six years, I must have proof.

You'll get it.

And my attorney must be with me

to make sure everything is all right.

No way. It's just you alone.

Now, look, I'm Mrs. Graham's attorney.

You're not keeping me out of this.

If you want to collect the money, I deliver it.

Otherwise, you're out of luck.

Okay, okay, but remember,

if anybody else shows up except you two,

the deal is dead and so is the kid.

♪♪

Hi, Janice.

Howard.

Oh, God, you terrified me.

Well, I'm sorry about that.

I, uh, I just thought a phone call

would not open the front door, so...

Howard, what are you doing here?

I ran into a business associate

over in Paris and he, uh,

he told me that he'd heard you were in need of money,

a lot of money.

I thought I'd find out why.

I don't want to talk about it.

No, I think we'd better talk about it.

I found out you've been tapping every banker we've ever known.

Why?

It has nothing to do with you.

I have my reasons.

Well, I bet you do.

Doesn't happen to include blackmail, does it?

And you haven't been indiscreet, as they say, have you?

Oh, Howard, don't be ridiculous.

Now, don't you be ridiculous.

Now, you either tell me what's going on here,

or I'll put the word out and you won't be able to raise a dime.

I got another ransom note from Peter's kidnapper.

He wants $250,000.

What, are you out of your mind?

Peter's dead.

What if he's not?

What if he's not, Howard?

Are you serious?

You really believe that it's possible

that he's still alive, huh?

I think there's a chance he might be.

Howard, please let me try to find out.

Please.

All right.

You see, I don't...

I don't even know why you were called in, Mannix.

Janice, you should have let me handle it.

I'm here now, and I'm taking over.

Personally, I don't think that's too wise, Mr. Graham.

Well, I'll be the judge of that.

If anybody delivers that money, it'll be me.

I just want to get close enough to that man to...

Kill him?

Maybe.

Howard, what about your son?

What about Peter?

I thought about that all last night.

Peter's dead.

We don't know that for sure.

Janice, would you please,

for God's sake, be realistic about it?

What kidnapper is going to keep a victim around for six years?

Well, there could have been

other people involved.

What other people?

What does that mean, other people?

Someone could have taken care of him.

Look, just forget about that.

The kidnapper is all there is,

and this time he's in for a surprise.

This time he's not going to get away with it.

Howard, you are not

going to destroy my life again.

You still blame me for what happened, huh?

If you hadn't...

set the trap for that kidnapper,

Peter might be in this house today.

If you'd stayed with him in the park that day,

instead of leaving him with that nurse...

You know I have never forgiven myself for that.

Oh, Howard, please.

Please, do it for me.

My way this time.

At least until we find out if Peter's alive.

What do you want me to do?

Well, for now,

you can clear the way

so your wife can raise the rest of the money.

We have to have it back here at 3:00.

It'll be here.

Good.

What was the big emergency out at the Graham house?

Mr. Graham.

He came in from Paris last night

and started making waves.

Don't tell me he doesn't care about his son, Joe?

Oh, yeah, he cares, but he's convinced

after six years that his son is dead.

Can't blame him.

I mean, how do you hide a child for that many years

without someone becoming suspicious?

What did you say?

The kidnapper.

How do you hide a child for that many years

without someone becoming suspicious?

What if the child wasn't with him?

What's that?

Recollections of a certain Steve Dorsett.

Maybe something you remembered...

And I remember saying to myself,

"Ooh, this kid is into something way over his head."

What, uh, what gave you that idea?

Well, he let slip something

about a stickup that he pulled in a gas station

a couple of nights before the kidnapping.

Said he needed it for the rent money.

Did you hear that, Peggy?

Rent money.

So?

Well, suppose after the ransom drop failed,

this guy still needed money.

So, he turned around and pulled another stickup.

And got caught.

Yeah, caught and tried

and was sent to prison for armed robbery.

Now that would account for a couple of years of silence.

In the meanwhile, where was the Graham boy?

Maybe somebody else was taking care of him.

Joe, wouldn't they have contacted the parents?

No, not if that certain someone

didn't know the true identity of the kid.

Hmm.

Where do we go from here?

Peggy, I want you to check

all the recently parole convicts in the county,

especially the ones that were convicted of armed robbery

a couple days after the Graham kidnapping.

Oh, Joe, that's a tall order.

Not if you stick to a specific M.O.,

like knocking over a gas station.

Maybe that was our guy's bag.

That's it.

$250,000 in 20s and 50s,

unless you want

to count it yourself, Mannix?

Mr. Graham, it's about time you realized

we're all on the same side.

Yeah, only you two are on the inside,

and I'm still on the outside.

Are you expecting anyone?

No.

This is the way it was last time.

Okay, it's all yours.

Excuse me,

there's a package for you, Mrs. Graham.

- Thank you. - You're welcome.

Excuse me, who delivered that?

The mailman; it was special delivery, sir.

- Thank you. - You're welcome.

Oh, my God.

It's Peter's.

He wore it the day...

Howard, look.

Janice, it could still be a trick.

But it's got his name on it.

Look, someone could have saved it

or they could have found it.

That doesn't prove Peter's alive.

He is alive.

I know he's alive.

Why won't you believe that?

Excuse me.

I'd like to hear what's on this.

Hello. My name's Peter.

I'm eight years old.

I live here with my Grandma Nora

and my cat, Kibby.

Kibby's my best friend,

and he sleeps in my bed.

Janice,

he was only two years old at the time.

He could barely talk.

This could be any kid.

Howard, do you remember when...

we bought him a kitten,

and he couldn't pronounce the word kitten,

so he called it Kibby?

No one else knows that.

Yes?

You get the tape?

Yes, we just heard it.

Well, now do you believe me?

We believe you.

Okay.

Now, this is how it goes.

As soon as I hang up,

you and your attorney take the money

and drive to the planetarium.

Have you got that?

The planetarium?

Right.

Now, it's closed today.

So, you park right across from the refreshment stand

in that big empty parking lot.

Just sit tight in the car

and wait for new instructions, okay?

And remember, just the two of you.

What-what about my...

What about Peter?

How long do we have to wait?

As long as it takes them to decide we weren't followed.

Nothing's happening.

I've got a feeling we're being watched.

What are you going to do?

Let them get a good look at me and the money.

♪♪

I told you it'd work.

He's got the money.

Let me take a look.

Well, how do you like that?

I got them eating right out of my hand.

Six long years.

Now I'm home free.

Too bad about you, friend.

What?

You've been taken.

What are you talking about?

I mean, he brought the money just like I told him to.

It's in that black bag there.

That's not her attorney.

He's a private cop named Joe Mannix,

and if he's here, it's a trap.

See, I knew...

I knew from the start it was a rip-off.

Well, now you see, Mannix.

See, anybody can get pulled in, even a professional.

Oh, it wasn't his fault.

Will you please, Janice.

Look, he should have told you right away

this was a waste of time and money.

Why don't you tell her now, Mannix?

Why don't you tell her there's no Santa Claus.

That miracles only happen in movies.

Obviously, Mr. Graham, something went wrong,

but I still think your son's alive.

Hello.

Mrs. Graham,

you a real stupid woman.

And you just ruined everything.

What do you mean?

What did I do wrong?

Why don't you ask that fella who was in the car with you?

Your detective friend, Mannix.

I told you not to double-cross me.

But m-my husband was out of town,

and I didn't want to come there alone.

You're still lying.

No, I'm not, I swear to you.

Please, please, give me another chance.

I will do anything you want, I swear to it.

I promise.

I'll think about it.

While I'm thinking,

you be collecting some more bread,

'cause this time it's gonna cost you double.

That's half a million, tomorrow noon.

I'll let you know where.

He recognized you.

He now wants a half a million dollars.

I'm sorry.

That's beautiful, Mannix.

You ruin the setup,

you jeopardize my son's life,

and that's all you can say is you're sorry?

Look, Graham, we can't change what happened today.

The important thing is

that the kidnapper's still willing to negotiate.

All right, so what do we do now?

Can you raise the additional money?

I-I think so.

Yeah, yeah, I can raise the money.

Okay.

Mrs. Graham,

again, I can't tell you

how sorry I am.

I'll do everything possible to make it work.

Joe.

What's the matter, Joe?

I blew it.

The guy recognized me and took off,

upped the ante to a half million.

I'm sorry,

but you can't blame yourself.

So they say.

Who else is there?

Well, if it's any consolation to you,

I got lucky down at the Hall of Records.

I'll get some ice.

Forget it, forget it.

What did you find out?

Well, the names of three convicts

paroled within the last month.

They were all jailed for robbery approximately six years ago

within a couple of weeks of the original kidnapping.

And, Joe,

all were gas stations.

Hey, beautiful. Who were they?

The first man, John Reno,

was released a month ago and went to New York.

His father's sick.

The second man,

Monty Powell, was badly hurt in a prison riot.

Released a few days after John Reno

and has been in a hospital ever since.

Which brings us to number three.

Raymond Bennett.

Five to ten years for armed robbery.

Gas station on La Brea near Washington.

Paroled the 16th.

Ten days ago.

Now residing at 119 Foxx Street.

I checked.

It's a halfway house for ex-convicts.

Hey, now we're getting someplace.

Look, is there anything else on this Bennett?

You know, special buddies in prison,

visitors, that sort of thing?

Oh, he had one regular visitor,

his mother.

She's a widow, but no available address.

- Name? - Nora Bennett.

Grandma Nora.

Oh, hello, may I help you?

Yes, my name is Mannix.

I'm looking for Ray Bennett.

Oh, he's at the top of the stairs,

- first on the right. - Thank you.

Ray, a Mr. Mannix for you.

♪♪

Hold it.

Now!

All right now, the punishment for kidnapping

in this state is the death penalty, Ray,

and that's what's going to happen to you

unless you tell me where I can find Peter Graham.

I don't know any Peter Graham.

He's with your mother, Ray; she's Grandma Nora.

Now, you're going to take me to her

or we're going down from here two different ways.

- Hey, you wouldn't do that. - Wouldn't I?

We're talking about the life of an eight-year-old boy.

You'd be sniffing gas yourself.

Who's going to tell them, Ray?

There was only one witness, you,

and you know where you're going.

Okay.

Ray?

They... double-crossed me.

Well, you can pay them back.

Tell me where the boy is.

W-with my mother.

Told her he was my kid.

She's got a grandson.

No, I'm afraid there's nothing here, Mr. Mannix.

His mother is the only person Ray lists as a relative.

What about his friends here at the halfway house?

Oh, he was a loner.

I don't think I ever saw him speak to any of our people.

There's no one you can think of

that might be able to help me?

I don't think...

Except perhaps, Jeb Dallas.

- Jeb Dallas? - Yes.

According to our files, he and Ray shared a cell

in the penitentiary for quite a while.

Then about six months ago,

Ray asked to be transferred to another cell block.

I'm afraid Jeb is just about as much of a loner as Ray.

Can you tell me where I can find this Jeb Dallas?

Oh, yes, yes, he works in a garage.

Jeb Dallas?

Yeah, I'm Jeb Dallas.

What do you want to see me about?

Ray Bennett.

You a cop?

Private.

What about Ray Bennett?

He's dead.

So? It's no sweat off my brow.

I take it he wasn't a close friend of yours.

Look, I've got nothing good to say about him.

He was a creep.

Now, he's a dead creep, so if you're finished...

Hey, Jeb, it's important.

Now, during the time you were sharing a cell with Bennett,

did he ever mention the Peter Graham kidnapping?

No, never.

You're sure?

Hey, look, long as we were in the same cell together

we gave each other the silent treatment.

That way we got along better, you understand?

Why did Ray Bennett switch

to another cell block about six months ago?

All of a sudden he became too good for me.

He got himself moved into a cell block for big shots.

Guys with a lot of pull on the outside.

I still can't figure it out.

Like overnight he's being taken care of by Cappy Cordell.

Any relation to John Cordell?

His brother.

Thanks to Big John,

Cappy practically runs the joint.

Cappy's still inside?

Ten to 20

for manslaughter.

It's an easy ride.

Big John sees to that.

Yeah, well, thanks.

You've been a great help.

It didn't help Ray a bit.

Eh, so what?

He was a creep.

♪♪

One move and you're dead.

I had a winning backgammon board when I got the call

that you were visiting my place of business.

Sorry I interrupted your game.

You mind telling me what you're doing in my office?

I'm looking for the kidnapped Graham boy.

Here?

That's not my line of business.

Kidnapping isn't my style.

Well, it wasn't six years ago.

Ray Bennett kidnapped the Graham boy,

but he had to go to prison,

so he left him with his mother, Mrs. Bennett.

He was hoping for a late payoff when he got out of prison.

But someplace along the line,

he mentioned it to your brother, Cappy,

who passed it along to you.

Mannix, you must dream a lot of wild dreams.

Then you decided to cut yourself in on the action.

Now Ray Bennett was too much of a punk

to say no to the great John Cordell.

So, when he got out, you had him send

the second ransom note to Mrs. Graham.

Only this time, you upped the stakes from $5,000

to a quarter of a million dollars.

Somehow it had a nicer ring.

You really believe all that, don't you?

You were stupid, Mannix.

If I'm involved, then you're involved.

Right to the end of your life.

Hello.

Mrs. Graham, I'm calling for the man who has your son.

I've taken over for him.

Don't waste time asking questions.

You have the extra money?

Yes. Yes, I have it here.

What about my son?

He's alive and being very well taken care of.

Just a minute.

Tell her, Mannix.

Mrs. Graham?

This is Mannix.

What's happened?

There's no time to explain,

but I'm pretty sure your son, Peter, is still alive.

I think...

Mrs. Graham, now there are two lives at stake...

Your son's and Mannix's.

Well, just tell me what to do.

Go to Griffith Park where Wild Oak runs into Fern Road.

There's a public phone there.

You go to it and wait for further instructions.

And this time I think you know enough to come alone.

Yes... yes...

Yes, I'll be there at noon tomorrow.

Oh, and Mrs. Graham,

I'm sure I don't have to remind you...

this is your last chance.

Wait a minute, Janice.

Wait, just leave the money alone.

Howard, you heard him!

Yeah, it's a trick, Janice!

Mannix is in on it!

- I'm calling the police. - No!

You've already ruined six years of my life.

If you interfere now,

I am going to spend the rest of it ruining yours.

I swear to it.

You really mean that, don't you?

On Peter's life.

Howard, I know how you feel,

but you have got to let me do it my way this time.

It's the only way to bring Peter back alive.

All right.

Just bring our son back.

Mrs. Graham.

I haven't got time to explain.

Just give me the money,

get in your car and drive back into town.

Not without my son.

You've got to trust me, Mrs. Graham.

I promise you'll get him back.

Now go home and wait for me.

For us.

Now go home.

Go.

Okay, Mannix, you did good.

Now get back to the car.

The man who said it was absolutely right:

All's well that ends well.

Aren't you forgetting about the boy and Mrs. Bennett?

They're back at the Westbrook Motel,

about five miles from here.

As soon as we're on the road, AI's going to phone them.

Does Mrs. Bennett know who Peter is?

She was told this morning.

She took it pretty well, too.

I think she always had the feeling

that the kid wasn't really Ray's.

As soon as she hears from us,

she's going to put him in a cab and send him home.

What about me?

You?

Well, your home's right here.

Forever.

Meet us back at the office when you're through.

All right, Mannix.

Keep moving, Mannix.

Bart sure wrapped that one up fast.

It only takes one bullet.

Good, quick job, Bart.

Bart, don't you ever put your feet up on my desk

or sit in my chair!

Don't.

All right, Al, now turn around.

Hands on the wall, come on.

And don't try anything clever.

All right, Mr. Cordell,

you're about to make another phone call.

Westbrook Motel.

The number's there by the phone.

You're going to ask for Mrs. Nora Bennett,

and you're going to tell her about your friend

who's coming to pick up Peter.

Forget it, Al.

I'd like to hear it, Cordell, loud and clear.

Westbrook Motel.

I want to speak to Mrs. Nora Bennett, please.

Hmm, that's, uh, 212.

I'll ring.

You won't forget about your friend, will you?

Hello.

Mrs. Bennett, this is Mr. Cordell.

Is Peter there with you?

Yes.

Good. I want you to keep him there with you, Mrs. Bennett.

I'm sending someone over to pick him up.

His name's Mannix.

He's a friend of mine.

A very good friend.

Well, if you ask me, Mr. Cordell,

I think that's very nice.

I didn't like the idea of putting a young lad like Peter

in a cab all by himself.

I'm glad you changed your mind.

Really very glad.

Yes, we're all very happy about it.

Well, good-bye.

Good-bye.

All right, Mannix, I see you've got everything under control.

Yeah.

Well, you didn't say I couldn't use your phone.

Come on.

Peter, these are the people I told you about...

Mr. and Mrs. Graham.

Hi.

Hi, Peter.

Hi.

They're the surprise I promised you.

What kind of a surprise is that?

They're your, uh, mom and dad.

But I don't have a mom and dad.

Oh, yes, you do.

Sure, you do, it's just that...

we've just been apart from each other for a long time.

But you'll see, everything is going to be very different.

I promise you.

Do you know how to ride a horse?

Uh-huh.

Would you like me to show you?

Sure, that'd be real neat.